Administrative Services

Web Accessibility Policy

Purpose

Western Illinois University utilizes technology, including the World Wide Web, to enhance the educational experience and to communicate University information; therefore, we are committed to ensuring that information and resources provided via the official University web presence are accessible to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Definitions

An accessible web presence provides information and/or services for a variety of users with minimal differences between delivered content. The University’s web presence includes web applications, web interfaces, and other resources delivered via the web.

The Web Accessibility Committee identifies priority websites based upon use, those which provide core institutional functions, and those deemed as critical-need websites. Therefore, priority websites include:

University websites which are critical points of access to users of University resources such as Admissions, Financial Aid, Disability Support Services, and

other high traffic University websites.

Scope

In order to meet this accessibility commitment, University web pages as well as associated web-based services developed by or for a College, Department, program, course, or unit of the University must comply with the University’s Web Accessibility Policy.

Policy

All priority websites, as well as new or redesigned websites, must meet or exceed current Illinois Web Accessibility Standards (IWAS), http://www.illinois.gov/iwas/.

Those who are responsible for the identified priority websites must develop implementation plans for ensuring accessibility of these websites, and if requested by a user, provide website information in an alternative format in a timely manner until the identified website meets accessibility guidelines.

All websites not identified as a priority by the Web Accessibility Committee must include contact information for an individual who can provide requested information in an alternative format in a timely manner. Those responsible for such websites must create and attempt to adhere to a reasonable timeline to bring these websites into compliance.

Review

The Web Accessibility Committee will establish evaluation and reporting guidelines for determining compliance with this policy. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will stay abreast of changes in accessibility standards and, in conjunction with the Web Accessibility Committee, will review and revise this policy as necessary.